We discussed Snapchat and their rumored optimistic growth plans, Zynga and their $200 million dollar investment which they shut down, as well as how Tom Ando (Up The Mountain Video) leveraged his Instagram and Facebook accounts to cultivate four significant relationships. Thanks Tom! (FYI- here’s Tom’s Facebook page that was mentioned: www.facebook.com/lostinamerica66)

The show hosts started the show by explaining some recent news in the area of social media. The first was that Snapchat, a smartphone app which allows users to send photos which disappear seconds after viewing, is trying to raise $500 million for their product. This lead into a conversation about another piece of news; the collection of metadata by the government, and a recent online leakage. Then, in the world of Facebook, it was discussed that the company Zinga, which made the popular FarmVille, slashed 18% of its workforce, closing two offices. Two weeks ago they also shut down their branch, OMGPop, which they had bought for two million not too long beforehand.

The hosts then discussed Tom Ando and his use of Instagram, before focusing on other merits and demerits of social media, which has been active in America for close to eight years. Since Tom, along with many others, is using social media correctly and effectively, many observers attempt to quantify and understand social media uses. Although social media is an important and productive way to increase business and relationships, it is not the only answer. As Jason Falls wrote on his social media blog, “The problem with trying to determine ROI for social media is you are trying to put numeric quantities around human interactions and conversations, which are not quantifiable.” The purpose of social media, as discussed on the show, is not to use social media as a life, but to use it to help aid in the possibilities that life brings. As was wisely commented on air, “social media is just like talking, no different… it can open new doors but can’t close those deals.”

This idea, which seems to be the center piece of the show, expresses the idea that Social Media Unscrambled hopes to provide. Social media is useable and malleable for any purpose, but only if one uses it correctly. For example, content, or what you post, is king. One must know their audience and not only talk about themselves, which will not keep the audience interested. As Marc Shafter stated, “content is the currency of the social web.”

The show closed with the question of if “Likes” on Facebook were still important. It was discussed that good content is not about you, you have to “give ‘em what they want.” If likes are important to a user, they will work on their content to provide likable information for their audience. However, as Tom Ando shared, the importance behind social media is doing what you love to do. He would continue to photograph around the country no matter who was watching, (but you should go pay attention, since his photographs are beautiful.) Social media allows you to do something for yourself, but then you receive the gratification when you let the rest of the world comment, like, and share later.

More on Tom Ando:

Tom Ando is no longer your typical photographer. Even though he has been in photography for his whole career, (and even crosses into video production with his company Up the Mountain Productions,) he’s taking steps to change the way people share their photography experiences. Using the social media site Instagram, which allows users to share their photography in creative ways, Tom has used his passion to forge relationships, create memories, and even market his business.

Tom’s Instagram and Facebook page, “Lost In America,” highlights his photography from the American Midwest and especially Route 66. While Tom could simply post his photography on his professional website, using social media accounts allows him to connect with other users in a way a website never could. Social media sites allow anyone from anywhere to see the work of a user, and this has allowed Tom’s “Lost in America” set to become a small, yet growing, global fanbase.

Not only does social media enable Tom to post and share his photography, but it also provides him a tool in order to communicate and create conversation with his fellow photographers and travelers. They share each other’s photos, stories, and businesses, and are therefore inclined to use their love of the road in a way which helps each other.

Tom’s use of Instagram is a perfect example of how social media can be used to aid a person or business, as Social Media Unscrambled details. Social Media Unscrambled, hosted by Chris Curran of Fractal Recording and David Deutsch of Syngergi Social, serves to explain social media events, tips, and uses in an understandable, friendly way, so that even those who have a hard time with social media are able to appreciate its uses.